Collapsible boat



ocr. 19, 1943. J, H REUTHER 2,332,259

COLLAPSIBLE `BOAT Filed Dec. 3, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MEHN@www Oct. 19, 1943. J. H. REu'rHr-:R 2,332,259

COLLAPSIBLE BOAT Filed Dec. s, 1940 s sheets-sheet s INVENTOR. L7M I+.REUTHR Patented Oct. 19, 19413 UNITED STATES Aru-r'irzlur OFFICE John n.Rentner, New York, N. Y."` Application December 3. 1940, Serial No.368,281

s claims. (c1. i4-I2) This invention relates to new'and usefulimprovements in a'collapsible boat and an arrangement for folding thesame.

Her-stofore many collapsible boats have been devised. However, it isbelieved 'that the boat covered by this application isof a superiorconstruction so that it may be collapsed withgreater easeand into asmaller compass, and can be assembled quickly and conveniently whendesired.

The invention proposes to characterize the collapsible boat by thefactVthat it has a body with yside walls; and a floor Yof a certainconstruction, and connected together in a certain way to facilitate thecollapsing and opening Gf the boat. y

It is proposed that each of the side walls comprise a'plurality ofsections including a central gate section and means for releasiblyconnecting one side of Ythe gate section with the adjacent section ofthe side wall so that it is possible to release the central 'gatesection when collapsing the boat, and to engage the central gate sectioninto position for extending the body when open ing up the boat. It isproposed that the body be encased in a water-proof casing extendedacross the bottom of the body and upland over the sides thereof. Thearrangement is such that the centrai gate sections control the extensionof the body when the boat is opened so that the ywaterproof casing is-held taut.

The invention proposes to construct the floor of a plurality of sectionsconnected together in a certain way andincluding a central floor boardsection releasibly connected with the central gate sections of the sidewalls so as to facilitate collapsing and opening of the boat whendesiredi lt is proposed that certain of the sections of the body and thefloor of the boat be connected together with permanent hinges, such aspiano hinges, and other ofthe sections be connected together with acertain type of separablehinges to `facilitate 'collapsing the boat whendesired.

Withvthis arrangement it is merely necessary toy separate the hingeswhen collapsing the boat and to reassemble these hinges when the boat isopened.

The invention particularly proposes to charac-V continue into a certaincurved portion which is capable of acting as a snap lock to hold the pinfrom accidentally coming out from the hinge construction.

The invention may be applied to a boat having a square stern or a boatwhich is pointed at the stern and atthe bow, and `to boats of numerousdesigns and shapes.

It is proposed to so construct the boat that certainof the sections ofthe floor may bere-y inoved, or all of the sections may be removed inaccordance with design to permit the side Walls of the body of the boatand the encasing waterpro-of casing to be folded as a unit.

Still vfurther the invention vproposes the construction of a collapsibleboat as mentioned which is siinple and durable and which may bemanufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference Willbe had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part ofY thisdisclosure:v Y

Fig. l is a plan View of a collapsible boat constructed in accordancewith this invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 2 2 of Figi.V l

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 3 3 of Fig; l. v vf Fig'. 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line4--4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the boat shown in Fig. l with certain sectionsof the il'oor removed so that the'restv of the boat is ready to befolded and collapsed.

Fig. 6` is a plan View similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating vthe sectionsof the boat in the furthe collapsed position. i f

Fig.' 'l is, another plan View similar tol Fig. 5 but illustrating theboat completely collapsed.

i Fig. 8 isa fragmentary' enlarged elevational viewl'of one of theseparable hinges of the collapsible boat.

Fig. 9 is a perspective/view of the specific pin of the hinge shown inFig. 8.

Fig. 10 isa perspective view of a modified form of pin which may be usedin the hinge shown in Fig. s. l 'l Fig. 11 is a plan View of amodiiiedform of co1- lapsible boat constructed in accordance `with thisinvention.

Fig. l2 is a plan View of the boat shown in Fig. ll but in completelycollapsed condition.

Fig. 13 is a plan View of a collapsible boat constructed in accordancewith another form of this invention.

Fig. 11i is an enlarged transverse sectional View talien on the linei4|4 of Fig. 13.

Fig. is a sectional View similar to Fig. 14 but illustrating the boat ina different condition.

The collapsible boat, in accordance with this invention, includes a bodyhaving side Walls I2 and a floor I3 removably mounted transverselybetween the bottom edges of the side walls. Each of the side walls I2comprises a plurality of sections, including a central gate section|2a.. The other sections are indicated by reference nu'- merals Hh andlic. The sections of each side are connected together with each other byhinges Ell and Il. The hinges I4 have separable leaves, of the typeillustrated in great detailsin Fig. 8. The hinges Hi preferably arepermanent hinges which cannot be readily separated but Which permit thecentral gate sections |2a to be pivoted inwards and outwards.

At the bow of the boat the sidewalls I'2 are connected with a permanenthinge I5, such as a piano hinge. The particular boat illustrated inFigs. l to '7 has a square stern I6. The sides of this stern areconnected with the side walls I2 with piano hinges I' or other permanenttype of hinge. The stern I6 is formed from two sections, narnelysections Ita and |61) which are hingedly connected together at theiradjacent ends by a permanent piano hinge I8.

The Iloor I3 of the boat comprises a plurality l of sections including acentral floor board section |30.. There are also sections |319` and |3c.The central door board section |3a is formed from two layers. There is abottom layer I3aa and a top layer iab. The top layer I 3ab is formedwith cutouts IBc at its sides forming shoulders for supporting inwardlyextending lip portions |3111/ and |3cy from the sections 13b and |30,respectively, which are also formed of vtwo layers. lThe central :doorboard section I3a is releasib-ly connected with the central gate section|20. by separable hinges I4.

The bow floor section is formed from a pair of adjacent side sections|3cc and I3cd which are hingedly connected together along their adjacentedges by a piano hinge I9, or other similar permanent hinge. The floorsection |30 is releasibly held in position by several separable hingesIt which connect the said floor section |3c with the central floor boardsection i3d and with the sections I2C of the side walls ci the body ofthe boat.

The stern floor board section |317 is also formed from a pair ofadjacent side portions I3bb and iibc. The adjacent edges of these'sections are releasibly connected together with separable hinges lil. Attheir outer edges these sections are hingedly connected with thesections '|2b 0f the side walls by permanent hinges 20 such as pianohinges, Several separable hinges I4 also connect the iioor sections |31)with the central door boara section I3a.

The water-proof sheet casing 2|, preferably formed from rubberized clothto avoid shrinkage, extends across the bottom of the body of the boatand up over the sides and front and back of the boat and is releasiblyattached along its top edges to the body of the boat. This attachment isaccomplished by separable fasteners 22 mounted along the edge portionsof the casing 2| and along the top edge of the body of the boat. Theseseparable fasteners 22 are in the nature of snap fasteners. One of thesections thereof are permanently mounted on the body of the boat and arecooperative with the other sections thereof permanently mounted on thesheet casing 2|. The side walls of the boat are reinforced with a brace23. The brace 23 is extended across the bow of the boat. It is connectedwith the side walls ci the boat by separable hinges I4. It is intendedthat the boat be provided with seats not shown on the drawings) mountedacross the 'side walls of the boat and acting to reinforce the sidewalls.

, Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate in detail one of the separable hinges |45. Itshould be noticed that this .hinge comprises hinge leaves Ica and Mbsecured upon the adjacent sections which the hinge connects, as forexample the sections |2a and I'lo. Fastening elements 24 are used tosecure the hinge leaves to said sections. The hinge leaves have theusual interengaging tubular socket portions Ilc. A pin Idd engagesthrough these socket portions to hingedly connect the loaves together.The pin Idd is of a certain construction. It is provided with anaxleportion which is pointed at one end andy which at its other endcontinues into a handle grip portion my which extends along the sides ofthe socket portions idc. This handle grip portion continues into acurved portion I le which engages the axle portion idr immediatelyadjacent the pointed end. This curved portion Ilz acts as a snap lock,preventing the connecting pin from accidentally coming out Afrom thesocket portions of the hinge. However, the handle grip portion Illy maybe manually gripped andv then the pin may be forced out of the socketportions by merely moving i-t coaxially. The pin may be quickly andeasily reengaged when `desired.

In Fig. 10 a modied form of connecting pin has been disclosed whichdistinguishes from the prior form merely in the construction of the snaplock portion |422. This snap lock portion is in the forml of a headformed upon the end of the handle portion |411. In other respects thisthis form of pin is identical to the prior form and its operation islikewise similar.

The method of folding the boatmay best be understood by a carefulexamination of Figs. l 5, 6 and 7. Starting with the boat fullyassembled as illustrated in Fig. l, it is necessary that the sectionsi3d and |30 of the floor of the boat be first removed. This may bequickly accomplished by separating the separable hinges I4. One ofl theends of the brace 2:3 is also freed by opening up the 'separable hingesat one of the ends thereof. The boat now has the appearance illustratedin Fig. 5.

The next step in collapsing the boat consists in freeing the centralgate sections 12a by opening their separable hinges I4. The gatesections are then pivoted inwards as illustrated in Fig. 6. Then thefloor sections |3125 and I 312e are pivoted upwards and simultaneouslythe sections |5a and |619 of the stern of theboat are pushed inwards.The boat now appears as illustrated in Fig. 6.

The boat is totally 'collapsed and folded by pressing together the sidesyas Afar as they will go and then bending around the 4bow portionrela-tive to the 'ster-n portion of the boat lto a position asillustrated in Fig. 7..

l In Figs. 11 and 12 a modified form vof the invention has beendisclosed which distinguishes from the prior form merely in the 'factthat a side sections |3cc and |3cd will also be in V- boat isillustrated having' points at bothv the boW and stern. QWith thisconstructionthe floor of the boatis somewhat dierent from the i'loorpreviously described. It distinguishes in the fact that it comprises vacentral floor board 'section |3a and end iloor board sections |3c ateach of the ends of the boat. .These sections |30 are constructedidentically to the corresponding sections |3c previously described. `Theboat is valso provided Withbraces 23 at the bow andk stern .porti-onsthereof. In other respects this form of the invention is identical totheprior form and identical parts maybe recognized by identical referencenumerals. f

In order to collapse the boat illustrated in Fig. r11 it is necessaryYthat the entire iioor be removed. This is easily accomplished byseparating the separable hinges which secure the oor, consisting of thesections vl3nt and |30 with the side walls of t-hebody of the boat. f

In Figs. 13-15 inclusive'another form of thet invention has beendisclosed which is very similar to the form shown in Figs. 11 and 12,distinguishing however in the fact that a construction has been providedbywhich the boat may be changed from a nat bottom boat to a V-shapedbottom boat, and Vice versa. In accordance with this form of theinvention the central floor board section 3cr comprises a pair ofside-portions |39: hingedly connected ktogether lat their adjacent edgeswith a permanent hinge Qm'which is in line with the hinges I9 of thefloor board sections |30 at the ends of the boat. Means is provided forholding these sideportions 13m of the central iloor board section |3aa:in a common plane for forming a `flat bottom boat and adjustable in acertain manner for holding these side portions in V-shape for forming aV-shaped bottom'boat.

r`This later means ischaracterized by a strap SDKpermanently attached toone of the said side portions l3nt and adjustably connected 'with theshape.

A featureof this boat isr that the flat bottom may be changed to theV-shaped bottom in a few minutes and this change may be made whilethelboat is out ofrwater, or While the ,boat is other of the said sideportions |33. The permanent connection is accomplished with permanenthinges 3| connected between the strap 3|] and the adjacent side portionISQJ.y The adjustable connection is accomplished with a separable hingeY32. 'I'his'separable hinge comprises a stationary section 32a which ispermanently attached to the adjacent sideportion |31: and which has a'front loop portion 32ml and a rear loop portion 32ab. The `hinge 32'hasanother section 32h permanently mounted on theendjof the strap 3l).` Apin 32o 'is adapted vto secure thehinge sections 32a and 32h pivotallytogether. This pin 32o may coact with the front loop 321m to hold the fside portions .|393 in -V`shape formation, as illustrated in Fig. 15, ormay coact with the rear loop 32a?) for-holding the-side portions |33:ina com- "mon plane so that the boat has a flat bottom,

vas illustrated in Fig. 14.

In other respects this form of the invention is of identicalconstruction as the previous and similar parts are identified by likereference numerals. Attention is called to the fact that since the endsections, |30 are composed of adjacent side sections lcc and lcdhingedly connected together, and `rsince these sections are rigidlyconnected with the sections l3nt of the central floor board section |3axthe entire iloor ofthe boat will assume the flat shape or the V-shape,in accordance with the way that the central floor board section |3a isheld. When the side portions lx are in a common plane the side sections|3cc and lcd will be in this plane also. When the'side portions |311:are in V-shapethe floating on. the water. To make the change while theboat is out of water is obvious and wil1 not be further explained.inthisspecication. The changewhile thev boat is aoat is made in thefollowing mannert. f

Assume that the boat has a flat bottom as shown in Fig.A 14. The pin 32ois rst removed and then a persons weight 'is shifted to the centerl ofthe boat forcing down the center and pulling the sides together,producing the lV- shaped formation. The pin 32e isv then slipped throughthe hinge 32 as illustrated in Fig. 15, and the boat now has ay V-shapedbottom. To change' back, the pin 32C is again removed and a personsweight is shifted to the sides of the boat so that thewater pressureforces up the V-shaped bottom intoy a flat bottom. The pin 32C is thenre-engaged in position as illustrated in Fig. 14 to lockthe bottom ofthe boat in this position. 7

It should be noticed that when the bottom of the boat is in V-shape, thebottom portions of:

the sides of the boat will be drawn slightly toi gether, reducing thebeam of the boat for greater Streamlining.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments' of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise construction herein disclosed and the right is preserved to allchanges and modications coming within the scope of the invention asdelfined in the appended claims.

yHaving kthus described my invention, what Iy claim,v as new and desireto Vsecure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. Acollapsible boat, comprising a body having spacedside walls and afloor mounted transversely between the bottom edges of said side" wallsand removable from ysaid position to release ysaid side walls which maythenv be movedy close together, each of said side walls comprising aplurality of sections including a central gate section extending fromthe top to the bottom of the side wall, said gate sections beingropposite each other, means for rreleasibly connecting one side ofeachgate section with the adjacent side wall section, and a. Waterproofproduced by lopening said central gate sections.

2. A collapsible boat, comprising a body hav-- ing spaced Aside wallsand a licor mounted trans- 'versely between the bottom edges of saidyside walls and removable from said position lto releaSesaid'side'WalIswhich may then bemoved close' together, each lof said side wallscomprising a plurality of sections including a central gate sectionextending from the top to the bottomof the side wall, said lgatesections being opposite each other, means for releasibly connecting oneside of each gate section with the adjacent-side wall section, and awaterproof sheet casing mounted on said body and extended tautly acrossthe bottom of said body and up over the sides, whereby when said.central gate sections are freed said casing will become loose and whensaid door is removed from said transverse positions said body and casingmay b e folded at the openings in said side Walls which were produced byopening said central gate sections, said floor comprising a plurality ofsections including a .central floor board extending betweenandreleasibly connected with said central gate sections.

3. A collapsible boat, comprising a body'having spaced side walls and afloor mounted transversely between the bottom edges .of said side wallsand removable from said position to release said side walls which maythen be moved close together, each of said side walls comprising aplurality of sections including a central gate section extending :fromthe top to the bottom of the side wall,v said gate sections Ybeing.opposite each other, means for releasibly connecting one side oi cachgate section with the ,adjacent side wall section, and a waterproofsheet casing unted on said body and extended tautlyacross `the bottom ofsaid .body and up .over the sides, whereby when said central gatesections are freed said casing will become loose and when said floor isremoved from said transverse position said body and casing may be foldedat the openings in said side walls which were produced by opensaidcentral gate sections, said floor comprising a plurality of sectionsincluding a central door board extending between and releasibly connected with said central gate sections, said central floor section beingreleasibly connected with other sections of said floor and completelyremovable from said other sections.

4. A collapsible boat, comprising a body having spaced side walls and aiioor mounted transversely between the bottom edges of said side wallsand removable from said position to release said side walls which maythen be moved close together, each oi said side walls comprising aplurality of sections including a central gate section extending fromthe top to the vbottom of the side wall, said gate sections beingopposite each other, means for releasably connecting one side o1" eachgate section with the adjacent side wall section, and ,a waterproofrsheet casing mounted on said body and extended tautly across thebotto-m of said body and up over the sides',

whereby when said'central gate sections are freed said casing willbecome ioose and when said iioor is removed from said transversepositions said body and casing may be folded at the openings said sidewalls which were produced by opening said central gate sections, saidiioor comprising a plurality of sections including a central 'floorboard extending between and releasibly connected with said central gatesections, said central floor section `being releasibly connected withother sections of said door and completely removable from said othersections, said other lsections cf said door being foldable against theside walls of said body.

5. A collapsible boat, comprising a body having spaced side walls and afloor ymounted transversely between the bottom edges of said side Wallsand removable from said position to re- Alease said side Walls which maythen be moved close together, .each .of saidside walls comprisingaplurality of .sections including a central gate section extending fromthe top `to the bottom of the side Wall, said gate sections beingopposite each other, means for releasably connecting one side of eachgate section with the adjacent side wall section, and a waterproof sheetcasing mounted on said body and extended tautly across the bottom .ofsaid body and up over thesides, whereby when said .central gate sectionsare freed said casing. will become loose and when said floor is removedfrom said transverse position said body and casing may be folded at theopenings in said side walls which were produced by opening said centralgate sections, said body also having' a stern wall section normallyholding said side walls in their spaced positions and foldable to freesaid .side-walls.

6. A collapsible boat, comprising a body having spaced side walls and afloor mounted transversely between the bottom edges of said side wallsand removable `from said position to release said side walls which maythen be moved close together, each of said side walls comprising aplurality of sections including a central gate section extending fromthe 'top .to the bottom of the side wall, said gate .sections beingopposite each other, means for rcleasibly connecting one side of eachgate Vsection with the adjacent sidewall section, and a waterproof sheetcasing mounted on said body and emended tautlyacro-ss the bottom ofvsaid body and up over the sides, whereby when said central gatesections are freed/said casing will become loose and when said iioor isremoved from said transverse position said body and casing Vmay befolded at the openings in said walls which were produced by opening saidcentral gate sections, said central oor section comprises a bottom layeranda ltop layer, said top layer having cutout portions at its sidesbeneath which said bottom layer projects producing shoulders, and .theadjacent sections of said iloor extend over and on said shoulders so asto be sinoportedby said shoulders.

7. In a boat having Vside walls, a floor iiexibly connected with saidside I.walls kand being formed or side sections ihingedlyconnected-.along the vcenter of the boat, means for releasibly holdingsaid side sections in a plane for forming a flat bottom for the boatwhich may be released lwhen desired, and for releasibly holding saidside sections `jointly in a 'V-shape when desired for forming a.V-shaped bottom'for the boat which may be released when desired.

8. In a boat havingside-walls, a iicor flexibly Aconnected withsaid sidewalls andbeing formed of side sections hingedly connected along thecenter of the boat, areleasible rbrace mounted be! tween points on saidside sections for releasibly holding ythe latter in a plane forming anat bot- `torn for said boat which be released when desired, and saidbrace being releasibly mountable between other points on saidsidesections for holding them jointly `in a V-shape.

.JOHN n.

